Forum is led by a volunteer State Committee of professional and experienced communicators.
Email forum@beconfident.org.au OR Contact your nearest Forum.
Rosie Arnold
State President
I am very proud to say I was elected President of Forum Communicators in September 2025.
Prior to this, I served on the State Committee in varying roles: State Secretary from 2017 – 2019, Marketing Officer from 2019 – 2023, and Website Co-ordinator from 2023 – 2025.
During my working years, I made the leap from the corporate world to a more heartfelt role as a Marriage Celebrant in 2010, and it was this new path that brought me to Forum when I realised I needed to build the confidence and speaking skills essential for guiding couples into their journey of wedded bliss.
I have always enjoyed taking on volunteering roles, so Forum was a natural fit for me. Whilst at university I belonged to Griffith University’s Note-Takers Network, which was designed specifically to provide well-crafted and easy to understand lecture notes to other students who were physically unable to record their own. For several years I was Secretary of the Professional Celebrant’s Association – again in a voluntary capacity, and I have also participated in the ‘JP’s in the Community’ program – a very worthy initiative which provides assistance to hundreds of people each year.
Now that I am fully retired, I enjoy volunteering at our local aged care community, travelling, playing guitar and spending time with my friends at Forum.
For anyone who is looking to step out of their comfort zone – I highly recommend you come and join us at Forum! The mental stimulation, meeting skills, self confidence and social connections this organisation provides are second to none.
Together with our wonderful State Management team I am looking forward to the next two years in this role, as we build our presence in the community and continue providing a vibrant, professional environment for our members to enjoy.
Irene Henley
Immediate Past State President
I thank everyone for their dedication to Forum Communicators, and for steadfastly, supporting past, current and future members, as we collaboratively share FORUM’s Vision and Values in Speaking with Confidence.
I convey to everyone reading this introduction, to be brave! Take the first step and contact FORUM if you want to communicate more effectively, be a confident speaker, and are seeking to speak concisely and with clarity.
Forum Communicators provides access to highly skilled, intelligent members who provide a supportive place to help individuals on their journey to Speaking with Confidence.
My vision is to Collaboratively take FORUM into the future. To THRIVE, to continue building FORUM’s programs, whilst setting up multiple access points to awaken the world to FORUM using social platforms, and providing digital access via on-line programs that align with individual’s needs.
My expertise to take this vision into the future, comes from a long career of leadership, management of services and coaching individuals. Experiences from being a Director of Nursing [Mental Health], Board Member and Board Chairperson [local & Australia wide], Manager Education & Research [+ Tutor at Universities], Industrial Relations and more.
Also, as a community warrior I have a passion in ensuring communities provide individuals with access to health, housing and services that eases concerns and opens opportunities for them to reach their full potential.
Personally, I love researching genealogy and am writing 4 Genealogy Family History Books on my husband’s Irish family and my Dutch Heritage.
For future generations, my passion is to leave a legacy, inspiring others, teaching valuable life lessons, strive/thrive for greatness.
Elaine West
State Secretary
Elaine joined Bayside Forum in 2002 and has been an active member of the State Committee in various roles for 20 years, including leading our organisation as State President in 2011-2013, and now serving as both State Secretary & Historian.
Elaine was recently Life Membership of Forum Communicators in recognition of her continual dedication and commitment to our organisation – a very well deserved honour!
Elaine continues to support Forum members through assessing, workshops, tutorials and mentoring.
Elaine has written 4 books and after 23 years working in aged care, retirement living and financial administration, her interests now include gardening, postcard collecting, family history, travelling and writing more books in the future.
Kate Gilloway
State Treasurer
Kate joined Bayside Forum (Wynnum, QLD) in 2022 and enjoys public speaking and learning more
about meeting procedure. She finds Forum a supportive environment and values the
friendships she has made since joining.
Kate has a degree in Business majoring in Human Resource Management and
worked in Banking and Finance during her entire working life. She started her career
in Brisbane and relocated to the Darling Downs when her husband, Adrian was
transferred with the DPI. She spent most of her career in and around Toowoomba.
Kate is happily retired now and enjoys watching test cricket, gardening, playing golf
(badly), reading and planning her next travel adventure. She volunteers at a local
charity and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Andrew South
Marketing Officer
Andrew grew up in Adelaide, the last of 5 children and spent his early years wandering the forecourt
of his parents Amoco service station. After matriculating, Andrew spent a few years in the trades before commencing university studies as
a mature age student, completing an Economics degree and a Graduate Diploma in Accounting. After some time in an internal audit function for a national retailer, Andrew transferred into IT commencing a 30 career as a Business Analyst and later a Project Manager. Whilst doing so, Andrew joined a motor racing team as a data analyst and spent 20 years travelling the country providing expertise to a range of successful drivers.
Bringing together his racing experience with his project management vocation, Andrew is now working on an exciting project in the automotive space. To facilitate this, Andrew joined Forum in 2022 to improve his confidence and speaking skills.